Work Visa Status

[Anonymous]

I have a specialist in humananities/international services work and re-entry visa. Its expiration is Nov. 2002, but I have left Japan over 1 yearand gave up my alien registration card. Now I want to return to Tokyo.
I was just wondering if this visa was still valid.
Have any other Canadians returned to Japan using the same visa but found another job in Japan?
I called the embassy in Canada and they told me the visa wasnt valid anymore and i'd have to apply for a new one, after securing a job in Japan. Does this sound right?
They were a little unsure about it. They said if it wasnt for the same company, i would need to re-apply for a work visa.


Thx

[Anonymous]

Sorry the expiration is Nov 2003.

[trip_hop]

Sonic-loser - you've lost. Your visa is cancelled if you leave without a valid re-entry permit. You can only come back to Japan as a tourist - on visa waiver, or with a new visa after going through the application process.

[Anonymous]

My re-entry permit is valid until Oct 2003. Sorry for got the mention that.

[Hiyodori]

You gave up your visa/re-entry permit when you relinquished your alien registration card upon leaving Japan. You will have to get a new visa if you want to work. It's not difficult to do once you have found employment, however.
Hiyodori

[Anonymous]

I've never had to show my alien card when re-entering Japan. If it expires or you go to the ward office and hand it in, is that registered in the immigration system? Otherwise how would they know when you show up at the airport?

[Hiyodori]

You are right, you don't need to show your alien registration card when you re-enter Japan under a valid period of stay / valid re-entry permit. Turning in your alien registration card at a port of departure, however, cancels your period of stay, and your re-entry permit.

By the way, you cannot turn in your alien registration card to a ward/town/city office (they won't accept it). FWIW

And although immigration is notoriously overwhelmed with paper document files (they even lost one of my extension applications!!), I wouldn't bet against their being able to keep track of cancelled alien registrations.

Cheers,
Hiyodori

[Anonymous]

Just wondering...
What - if any - are the circumstances in which you would be *required* to give up your ARC?

[trip_hop]

When leaving Japan without a re-entry permission.
Or if you are deported, and your status of residence is revoked by the Ministry of Justice.

[Hiyodori]

One more -- if you become a Japanese citizen.